As an M.D., Ph.D., Dr. Draghia-Akli’s career began in human genetics and advanced therapies, notably on rare diseases. She began working in gene therapies in the early stages of that research. As a scientific co-founder and research lead, her team delivered the first gene therapy product approved for any animal application in 2007.
Throughout her career, she contributed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel products, for both public health and business success. She leverages her abilities to strategize and innovate, to integrate science and business impact, while delivering the next generation of medicines.
Most recently, at Johnson & Johnson, she had the privilege of building a world class, diverse Global Public Health R&D organization, delivering groundbreaking innovation to address climate-related, emerging, and entrenched health threats, such as Dengue, coronaviruses, antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, and leprosy.
Her career has included specialty focus in the areas of genomic medicine, advanced therapies, vaccines, and infectious diseases including the medical aspect of regulations, policy, and global health.
She is known for building exceptional partnerships and collaborations that further medicine. As an example, she led the European Commission Health Programs of Research and Innovation, including the creation and implementation of successful public-private partnerships, such as the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) and the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC). She also served as Co-Chair of the Therapeutics Clinical Working Group for ACTIV (The Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines), a public-private partnership spearheaded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.